MGE unveils state’s first public quick charger for electric vehicles at East Side gas station

For most electric vehicle owners, fueling up means “wait for watts” and not “gas and go,” since recharging can take hours.

Not anymore.

Madison Gas and Electric unveiled the first public electric vehicle quick charger in Wisconsin on Tuesday at Kelley’s Market Mobil, 3859 E. Washington Ave., near the interstate highway.

The quick charge can power a vehicle battery system up to 80 percent full capacity in less than 30 minutes, compared to about four hours using the conventional Level 2 charging system.

“By installing the quick charging unit near the interstate, MGE has taken a major step toward giving EV drivers an opportunity to travel greater distances more conveniently, said Andy Bartosh of ABB, maker of the charger, in a news release.